Construction mafia extortion destroying livelihoods, warns Cape Town official after employee shot

Attacks on City of Cape Town staff by the "construction mafia" were thrust into the spotlight after an employee and his K9 dog were shot at a Philippi construction site on Tuesday afternoon. 

The employee - a security guard - was working at the intersection of Duinefontein and Govan Mbeki Roads in preparation for the rollout of the second phase of the MyCiTi bus service.

At least five shots were fired at the guard and the K9 dog was shot twice as they patrolled a railway bridge, according to MMC for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas.